{"id":37783,"date":"2025-04-14T11:01:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/?p=37783"},"modified":"2025-04-14T11:01:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:01:49","slug":"the-12th-annual-chess-and-community-conference-heres-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/the-12th-annual-chess-and-community-conference-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The 12th Annual Chess and Community Conference: Here\u2019s What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When children from the slums of Lagos and conflict zones in Northern Nigeria step onto the global stage, chess becomes more than a game, it becomes a powerful tool for change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On March 29, 2025,\u00a0 at the 12th Annual Chess and Community Conference held at Classic Center, Athens, Georgia, five exceptional players from Chess in Slums Africa graced the stage. The conference welcomed these youngsters, thought leaders, and educators under the theme <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cFuture Forward, Game Changers, and a Global World.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><b>Showcasing African Talent on a Global Stage<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representing Chess in Slums Africa were five incredible young players from Lagos and Northern Nigeria. These children didn\u2019t just play chess, they shared their stories of resilience and determination that left everyone in awe.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/2022\/04\/13\/meet-the-champ-makoko-chess-journey-ferdinard-maumo\/\"><b>Ferdinand (Makoko)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Despite living with cerebral palsy, Ferdinand played with incredible focus and strategy. His performance earned him the <\/span><b>Young Genius Award<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, presented by actor <\/span><b>Khary Payton<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, best known for his role in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Walking Dead<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Tunde_OD\/status\/1906270544221135271\"><b>Mary (IDP Camp, Northern Nigeria)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mary\u2019s journey is nothing short of inspiring. After surviving Boko Haram attacks and being displaced to an IDP camp, she competed in the middle school chess championship and came out <\/span><b>second<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, winning a <\/span><b>$100 prize<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Her victory is proof that dreams can thrive even in the toughest circumstances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Tunde_OD\/status\/1909151156602839523\"><b>Jamiu (Oshodi)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Jamiu\u2019s story is one of overcoming unimaginable hardship. Orphaned, homeless, and struggling just to survive, he was named <\/span><b>Best Player of the Tournament<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. He walked away with a <\/span><b>gold medal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><b>$500 scholarship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for his incredible performance and heartfelt essay on global citizenship.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mabel (Makoko)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Mabel, who once couldn\u2019t even attend school due to the harsh realities of life in the slums, is now a rising chess star. Her dream? To become a doctor. And she\u2019s well on her way.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/chessinslums\/status\/1903050999784251761\"><b>Ivie Urieto<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A remarkable chess prodigy who began her journey at the age of 4. Over the years, Ivie has accumulated numerous accolades in chess and has been honored with a scholarship. These young players showed the world that with the right opportunities, anything is possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-37868 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"535\" height=\"714\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Event Highlights<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The conference wasn\u2019t just about chess, it was about how chess can open doors to new opportunities. Here are some of the standout programs that made the event so special:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Chess with Law Enforcement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Young people and local law enforcement officers teamed up for a game of chess, breaking down barriers and building trust through shared strategy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tech Corner &amp; Robotics Tournament<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The children got hands-on experience in coding and robotics, learning about STEM in a fun and engaging way.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Virtual Reality Chess &amp; Art Corner<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Merged creative expression with strategic thinking in a digital environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Chess Museum Experience<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Showcased the historical and cultural significance of chess.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The conference also featured two notable keynote speakers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Zachary McLeroy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, co-founder of <\/span><b>Zaxby\u2019s<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Khary Payton<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>Khary Payton<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is best known for his voice work in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teen Titans<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and his role in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Walking Dead<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both speakers talked about leadership, innovation, and building global connections, offering valuable lessons for everyone in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37869 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-2-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"503\" height=\"671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 503px) 100vw, 503px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Why This Matters<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This appearance at a U.S.-based chess conference marks a major milestone for <\/span><b>Chess in Slums Africa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From the slums of Lagos to the international stage, these children proved that access to chess education can transform lives. Their participation aligns with our mission to use chess as a tool for <\/span><b>youth empowerment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>educational inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>global exposure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the words of the founder, Tunde Onakoya, \u201cTyping these words fills my eyes with tears all over again because I know their stories.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through this platform, the world saw what we\u2019ve always believed: potential is universal, even if opportunity is not. With continued support, <\/span><b>Chess in Slums Africa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will keep bridging that gap, one move at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How You Can Support\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These stories are just the beginning. If you want to support more young people like <\/span><b>Jamiu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Mary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here\u2019s how you can stay connected and be part of their journey:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/chessinslums\/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D#\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow our updates on social media<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Share the story to inspire more young minds<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support our mission:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/donations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Donate to the Cause<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-5-children-from-chess-in-slums-go-compete-in-harvard?lid=5t67eofkbs7t&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=product&amp;utm_campaign=t_email-co_welcome-0221-us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the GoFundMe Channel<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"mailto:partnerships@chessinslumsafrica.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partner with us\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, we can bridge the gap and give these children the future they deserve, one move at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-37870\" src=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-3-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-3-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-3-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When children from the slums of Lagos and conflict zones in Northern Nigeria step onto the global stage, chess becomes more than a game, it becomes a powerful tool for change.\u00a0 On March 29, 2025,\u00a0 at the 12th Annual Chess and Community Conference held at Classic Center, Athens, Georgia, five exceptional players from Chess in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":37870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7,8,9,10,11],"class_list":["post-37783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-our-stories","tag-breaking-boundaries","tag-chess-and-community-conference-25","tag-chess-in-slums-africa","tag-cisa","tag-tunde-onakoya"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37783\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chessinslumsafrica.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}